Five European universities with solid experience in advanced doctoral and post-doctoral studies have decided to establish a European Doctoral Programme for the Human and Social Sciences. The partner institutions are the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) and the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE) in Paris, the Humboldt-Universität in Berlin, the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, and the Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane (SUM) in Florence. The aim of the Programme is to be a permanent point of reference for advanced studies and research in the human and social sciences in Europe. This is envisaged as the first step in the construction of a true European Doctoral School.
The network structure permits to award PhD titles recognized by all the countries involved in this project; it is not only a simple exchange programme.
This model is unique in the European context and has the potential to bring together resources and experiences of an exceptional range, which a single institution is unlikely to reach on its own. Such an initiative can enable Europe academics to keep up

with the United States in the increasingly decisive field of advanced studies. Such an initiative can enable Europe academics to keep up with the United States in the increasingly decisive field of advanced studies. Initially it is envisaged that two doctoral programmes are set up.
The Doctorate in History will be organized into three different curricula, each with its own course of study: Europe and the Invention of Modernity; Comparative History of Knowledge; and The Classic Tradition and its Mediations in the Christian, Jewish and Muslim Worlds. The curriculum in Europe and the Invention of Modernity (coordinated by the SUM, Florence) started its activities on February 1, 2010.
The Doctorate in Social Sciences will also comprise three curricula: Europe in the Context of Globalization; The Social and Political Bases of Europe; and The Sociology of Religions.
The doctoral programmes will have an open, dynamic structure so as to ensure the maximum degree of exchange and collaboration. The research training seminars for each doctorate will be held in three different countries.